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Manchester United 0-2 PSG: 5 Areas where Solskjaer lost the battle

Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg
Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg

At the end of the night, Solskjaer looked dejected. He had the face of a beaten man, even though there was a calmness about him. Inside though, there was a storm brewing. United had been outclassed at their own backyard by the French Champions, who now had 2 away goals in their kitty. Even though it is unfair to rule out United without the second leg even played, it is hard to imagine that they can get the better of PSG at Paris, on a night when they would definitely be without Paul Pogba.

Manchester United failed to display their usual swagger and looked like a shadow of the team that had jumped up to 4th place under the Norwegian. It was a learning experience for both Solskjaer and his young team, who were beaten by the quality and the guile of an experienced PSG side.

Even though he had all the ingredients to make it a fair fight, here are 5 areas where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lost the battle to PSG on the night.


#5 Not paying close attention to PSG's main men

Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg
Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg

With Neymar and Cavani injured, PSG were supposed to be crippled in attack. To make matters worse, Thomas Meunier was also ruled out from the game. Manchester United had a great chance to take advantage of the situation, however, Solskjaer failed to capitalize on the situation.

Arguably, four men won the game for PSG; Di Maria, Mbappe, Verratti and Marquinhos. The Norwegian was perhaps guilty of not paying close attention to these four all through the game. At the initial stages, Matic and Herrera looked stellar in the midfield. While the Serbian gobbled up all the loose balls and closed down Draxler, Herrera stayed close to Verratti.

But soon enough, both of them lost the midfield battle, as Marquinhos and Verratti double teamed to dictate the terms in the middle. Solskjaer would have been better advised to adjust his 3 man midfield to disrupt the two of PSG, but it never happened.

Quite similarly, Angel Di Maria and Mbappe started the game slowly, but grew in stature. While initially, United teamed up to stop the two of them, the home team was a little too ambitious at times and perhaps a bit overconfident as well. Two moments of loss of concentration cost United the game, and it all arose because United did not pay close attention to the dangermen of PSG.

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